Chapter 2: Opportunities Around the Corner

(Beth's POV)

I’m not sure how long I was asleep on the couch but when my eyes finally opened, I found a pillow haphazardly placed under my head and the tv loudly playing some early morning talk show. I’d probably only slept for a couple of hours. The kitchen light is still on, and Clara is nowhere in sight. Although, her snoring down the hall told me exactly where she is.

Tossed on the coffee table is yesterday’s newspaper. Clara must have set it there. I wonder if there are any interesting job postings inside. The Chicago paper is usually huge and holds a bunch of odds and ends, so it didn’t hurt to check.

The first column or two were a no-go, mostly containing construction and sketchy ‘IN SEARCH OF…’ postings. I’d almost given up when I happen across an administrative assistant to CEO ad. What concerns me is the amount of money offered… Why would someone be offered that much for an assistant position? Nonetheless, all that it's asking for is a current resume and contact information. That seems simple enough.

Not really expecting much out of it, I submit the required information to the email address listed. Shrugging, I stretch back across the couch and rest my phone on my chest with all intentions of going back to sleep.

I’d just fallen asleep when the sound of my phone screaming startles me up in a panicked daze. Maybe Clara was right, I should probably change the ringtone. “Hello?” I greet with a yawn. Who would be calling me? It’s well before typical business hours.

“Did I wake you?” A man asks with an amused chuckle. “This is Griffin with Midnight Spirits. Just to let you know, I am only one of Mr. Funari’s IT guys. But he’s a little bit tied up at the moment, and I offered my assistance. So, tell me, Ms. Gale, why do you want to work for Midnight Spirits?”

“No!” I blurt out, jolting upright. “I-I wasn’t sleeping! I was… ah forget it. It’s been a long day. I apologize, Griffin. I was sleeping. Anyway! I wasn’t expecting to hear back from you guys so soon if at all to be honest. Um, I’d love to work for Midnight Spirits and Mr. Funari because I honestly need a change of pace. I’m tired of the same old boring life and this ad looked exciting and extremely different from what I would normally apply for.” I facepalm… Could I make this any worse for myself? Did I have to embarrass myself like this?

Griffin laughs, “No need to berate yourself, Ms. Gale. We’ve all been in your shoes. You have intrigued Mr. Funari and he would love to formally meet with you Friday evening around 4 p.m. Does that work for you?”

I can hear grunting and papers shuffling around. What is going on in the background? It is followed by brief muttering in what I think is Italian.

“That works perfectly for me! Thank you so much, Griffin. Please give my best regards to Mr. Funari and I’ll be there at 4 o’clock sharp on Friday.” I excitedly promise.

Griffin chuckles again, whether at my eagerness or something else, but he found it amusing either way. “That sounds wonderful, Bethany. He’ll see you then.” The phone went silent as he hung up. I have an interview. I have a potential job. Holy sh*t I have to prepare.

For the next two hours, I rewrite both my resume and cover letter at least four times. It had to be perfect and pristine. I need to impress him. But what would I wear? Mia, my older sister’s voice echoes with words of the past that made me shudder in distaste. “If you want a man to listen to you, dress to impress. Show some skin and be mature about it.” I never quite understood how that worked.

I had three outfits laid out on the floor while I stared a hole into the wall. Do I wear the only pencil skirt I own with a white top? Do I wear a pair of slacks with a semi-appropriate blouse? Or the sole black minidress I own? The dress would look great with a pair of Clara’s heels. But then, what do I do with my hair? Do I wear it up, so I look professional? Or do I wear it down with makeup?

“Beth?” Clara says from behind me, concern in her voice, which in turn causes me to jump and shriek.

I turn to see a half-dressed Clara leaning in the doorway with an eyebrow raised. “Do I want to know what you are doing? Or have you simply fallen off the deep end like I bet my co-workers the other day?” Clara laughs and moves to sit next to me. “So, what are you doing? And how can I help?”

I roll my eyes, able to calm myself for a moment in her presence. “You bet on me to your coworkers about my mental health? With whom, Clara?”

Clara starts playing with the hem of the rug that I’d yet to resew. “Jane… in the psychiatric ward.” I take a deep breath and blow it out slowly. Really, I wasn’t surprised or angry. I just liked it when people thought I was. “Now tell me what’s got you in a tizzy like this.”

She won’t stop until I tell her, and she deserves to know anyway. “I found a job opportunity that pays really good money as an assistant to a CEO of a nightclub around here,” I say hesitantly, unsure about her reaction. “I’ve already talked to his IT manager. I don’t know why him, but that’s who I talked to. I have an interview Friday evening. And I don’t know what to wear. Help? You used to party, right?”

Clara stares at me with a bewildered look etched across her face. “What does my drinking habits have to do with a job interview? You’ve lost me.” She blinks at me waiting for an answer to show itself.

“Well, Mia told me years ago that if you wanted to impress a man you had to show skin. And I figured that since you have a history of partying you would know what would be best for me to wear.” I regret saying those words the second they leave my mouth. “I didn’t mean it to sound so wrong… I’m sorry.”

Clara looks at me wide-eyed for a moment before snorting, “I am not your promiscuous sister. But you are not dressing like a corner girl to an interview even if it's at a club. Speaking of, why don’t we go out to a club tonight and party? It’ll be fun and it’ll be good for you, especially if you want to work in a club. Follow me to my room. We’ll get you dressed in something comfortable and sexy.”

I follow her and pull on whatever she threw at me to wear.

“Hey! Why don’t we go to that new club? Midnight Spirits? It’s supposed to be the best around!” Clara cheers.

I shrug. I am fine with anything. Besides, I know Clara. I have no option or say in this. And as I'm being dragged out the door and to the elevator, I knew it would be a long but, hopefully, fun night.

Isn't Midnight Spirits the place I have an interview at? As that thought mulls in my head, I think that this might just be an opportunity to explore.